Young and Old

She: Why does everything in Scotland look older than in the United States?

Me: Scotland has a much longer history than the United States.

She: I'm five years old. It's older than me, isn't it."

Me: Older than you and me together.


Long pause as we walk along for a bit.



She: How old are you, mom?

Me: I'm forty-six.

She: How much is forty-six plus five?

Me: Fifty-one.

She: Scotland's older than 51?!

Me: Much.


(Alas, my earlier explanation of how Scotland's 5000 year history compares to America's 500 year history was lost on her.)